Anaerobic tea steeper and method of use

ABSTRACT

This invention introduces a container in the form of a mug with a lid or in the form of an enclosed vessel of any size and shape for tea steeping wherein the dried tea leaves are extracted with hot water neither in contact with oxygen in the free air nor in contact with oxygen in a pocket of free air in order to maximize the preservation of the antioxidants in the aqueous tea extract to be used as a health-promoting beverage. In accordance with a special aspect of the invention, a standard method of using the novel anaerobic tea mug for preparation of tea extract to be consumed in humans and in dogs for the purpose of disease prevention is described.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to container apparatuses and methods forsteeping tea, especially green tea, in generally anaerobic conditions.Tea steeped in the ways and means described in conjunction with thisinvention can be rich in antioxidants.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Aqueous extract of the dried leaves of tea trees, Camelliasinensis, which is generally referred to as tea, has been used as afavorite beverage in certain societies for about 5,000 years for itssoothing taste and for its potential health benefits to human beings.Only in the past few decades has scientific data clearly demonstrated apositive relationship between regular tea drinking and the prevention ofcertain human diseases. Recently numerous medical and scientific reportshave indicated that tea drinking may be associated with a wide range ofhealth benefits, including lowering the total blood cholesterol and thelow-density-lipid cholesterol level, increasing the high-density-lipidblood cholesterol level, reducing blood pressure, acting as bloodthinner, reducing the risk of heart attack, decreasing the risk ofstroke, reducing the risk of cancer, enhancing the immune system of thebody and preventing dental cavities.

[0003] Results from studies in rats, mice and hamsters showed that teaconsumption protects against lung, forestomach, esophasus, duodenum,pancreas, liver, breast, colon, and skin cancers induced by chemicalcarcinogens. Regular consumption of green tea has a preventive effectagainst atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension (HasanMukhtar and Hihal Ahmad, Am J Nutr 71:1698S-1702S, 2000). The growth ofcertain types of high-grade human non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cells can beinhibited by green tea extracts in animal models. Green tea extractswere found to be more effective than the chemotherapeutic drugcyclophosphamide in preventing lymphoma recurrence (Bertolini F et al.Leukemia 14: 1477-1482, 2000). Tea extracts also appear to haveantiviral effects by interference with virus adsorption to target cells(Nakayama M et al. Letters in Applied Microbiology 11:38-40, 1990;Mykoyama A et al. Japan J Med Sci Biol.44: 181-186, 1991).

[0004] The published research data indicated that the health-promotingactive ingredients in the tea leaves belong to a family of chemicals,functionally referred to as “antioxidants” which also exist in manyplant foods loosely labeled as “flavonoids”. Most researchers haveidentified the health-beneficial antioxidants in tea leaves to bepolyphenols, known in chemical terms as (−) epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG), (−) epigallocatechin (EGC), (−) epicatechin gallate (ECG), and(−) epicatechin (EC) (referred hereafter generally as catechins). Theseactive polyphenolic compounds may account for 30-40% of the extractablesolids of green tea leaves (Brown M D, Altern Med Rev. 4:360-370, 1999)although it is possible that other important ingredients of teabeneficial to human health are as yet to be identified (Ohe T. et al.Mutat. Res. 496:75-81, 2001).

[0005] One of the most important discoveries in medical research ofrecent years is the finding of the toxic effects of the so-called freeradicals in human body. Free radicals, which are often reactive oxygenspecies, are highly reactive molecules that can damage the cells of thehuman body and contribute to many diseases and to the aging process. Afree radical takes an electron from another molecule, turning the lattermolecule into an electron-deficient free radical that will rob anelectron from yet another molecule. In such a chain reaction, some ofnormal cellular structures reacting with the free radicals may bedamaged. These damages may be apparent immediately or may be latent.

[0006] The harmful effects of free radicals on the human cells includecausing oxidation of the fats and proteins of the cell membranes,damaging the mitochondria, interference with normal cellular functionsby inactivating enzymes and hormones and damaging the DNA code leadingto irreversible mutation and development of cancer.

[0007] Free radicals are being created constantly in the human body aspart of the normal living process, or can be introduced from theenvironment in the form of nitrogen dioxide and other potentiallyharmful chemicals in the air pollutants, toxic wastes and pesticides.Ultraviolet radiation from the sun, cigarette smoking (active orpassive), various medications, etc. all introduce free radicals into thehuman body. Therefore, there is no way to avoid free radicals completelyin life. However, some nutrient supplements are known to help the bodyto minimize the harmful effects of free radicals. For example, theflavonoids can prevent the formation of free radicals, and protectvitamin C which can neutralize free radicals in the extracellular andintracellular fluids. Vitamin E can protect the cell membranes from theoxidation damage induced by free radicals. The carotenoids can scavengesinglet oxygen molecules and prevent the oxidation of fats which areessential components of cell membranes.

[0008] The tea polyphenols as antioxidants in the flavonoid family arecapable of preventing the formation of free radicals or interrupting thechain reaction of free radical formation by donating their looselyattached electrons to the free radicals, making the latter inactive andharmless without becoming free radicals themselves. Therefore, teapolyphenols are ready electron donors and their antioxidant functionmust be maintained or preserved in the dried tea leaves and in the teaextracts for the latter to be effective as a health-promoting herbalbeverage.

[0009] Exposure to oxygen may reduce the contents of tea polyphenols.For example, the process of fermentation which is actually an oxidationtreatment of the tea leaves for 60 to 120 minutes in preparing black teahas been shown to cause more than 80% degradation of the tea catechinsin the tea leaves with no decrease in caffeine contents (Astill C et al.J. Agric. Food Chem. 49:5340-5347, 2001). Therefore, most medical andscientific data have been based on studies using the unfermented greentea extracts as the active substance.

[0010] The antioxidant activities of tea catechins, especially EGCG, themost abundant and most active catechin in tea extracts, are influencedby the pH and metal ions in the aqueous extracts remaining high andconstant at pH 6-12, but decreasing in acidic and strong alkalinesolutions. While copper ions increase the antioxidant activity of EGCG,ferrous ions inhibit the activity (Kumamoto M et al. Biosci. Biotechnol.Biochem. 65:126-132, 2001).

[0011] The EGCG contents in the dried tea leaves vary greatly not onlywith the types of dried tea leaves processed with different methods, butare also known to vary between leaves plucked from different parts ofthe same tea tree. The first young leaf has been shown to have thehighest concentration of EGCG, and the concentration of EGCG decreaseswith aging of the leaf (Sakata I et al. Yakugaku Zasshi 111:790-793,1991).

[0012] Khokhar and Magnusdottir (Khokhar S. and Magnusdottir S. G. M. J.Agric. Food Chem. 50:565-570, 2002) studied the efficiency of aqueousextraction of tea catechins from dried tea leaves. The results showedthat a high temperature of 100° C. for 5 minutes is necessary for themost efficient extraction of tea catechins. At a lower temperature, forexample, at 80° C., the extraction efficiency for EGCG is reduced bymore than one third (⅓).

[0013] Degradation of the green tea catechins in tea drinks has alsobeen studied (Chen Z. et al. J. Agric. Food Chem. 49:477-482, 2001). Theresults showed that the green tea catechins, namely (−) epigallocatechingallate (EGCG), (−) epigallocatechin (EGC), (−) epicatechin gallate(ECG) and (−) epicatechin (EC) are generally stable at room temperature.However, at high temperature in the presence of oxygen, especiallyduring autoclaving at 120° C. with addition of sucrose, citric acid, andascorbic acid, unpredictable degradation of the tea catechins will takeplace. As a result, a person will ingest 400-500 mg of green teacatechins if one cup of tea drink is properly brewed in the “traditionalmanner”. In contrast, a person will ingest only 3-60 mg of green teacatechins when one canned or bottled tea drink of 250 ml is consumed.Oxidation and epimerization of EGCG to (−) gallocatechin gallate duringthe heating process required for sterilization appear to be themechanisms of green tea catechin degradation in the preparation ofcanned or bottled tea drinks. (Epimers are stereoisomers of a sugar orsugar derivative that differ in the arrangement of the hydrogen atom andthe hydroxyl group on the last asymmetric carbon of a chain. The processof going from one epiner to another is called epimerization.Epimerization can occur as the result of a physical treatment, likeheating, or an enzymatic activity.) In aqueous solutions, EGCG has beenshown to be stable at 4° C. for 24 hours at pH 3-9. However, it degradedto a level below 80% of the initial concentration in 24 hours at 50° C.and pH 5. This process of degradation was further accelerated when thepH was above 5 (Proniuk S. J. Pharmaceutical Sciences 91:111-116, 2002).At pH 9 and 50° C., all active catechins in the tea extracts hadpractically vanished in 24 hours, due to accelerated oxidation in thealkaline solution.

[0014] One report has suggested that the dose of polyphenols needed foreffective health protection is at least 300 to 400 mg of polyphenols perday, usually taken in the form of a green tea extract that may bestandardized up to 97% polyphenols, with up to 67% being EGCG (Mitscher,L. A. and Dolby, V., The Green Tea Book, Avery Publishing Group, 1998,p.141). This amount of tea catechins is usually present in one cup oftea drink if the latter is properly brewed in the “traditional manner”,using high quality dried tea leaves. However, a daily consumption ofthree to ten (3-10) cups a day is necessary to achieve the maximumhealth benefits of tea drinking. It has been reported that cancer onsetin patients who had consumed over 10 cups of green tea per day was 8.7years later among females and 3.0 years later among males, compared withpatients who had consumed under three cups per day (Fujiki, H. et al.Mutat. Res. 402:307-310, 1998). Patients with stage I and II breastcancer who consumed over five cups of green tea per day experienced alower recurrence rate and longer disease-free period than thoseconsuming less than four cups per day (Fujiki, H. et al. J. Cancer Res.Clin. Oncol. 125:589-597, 1999). These two series of clinical studiesclearly indicate a dose-effect relationship between tea drinking andcancer prevention in humans.

[0015] The daily effective volume of this health-promoting herbalbeverage to be consumed depends on the levels of polyphenols, namely theactive tea catechins, in the final tea extract, which in turn vary asresult of many factors, including where the tea plant was grown, the ageof the tea leaves when plucked, how the tea leaves were processed, howthe dried tea leaves were stored and how the tea extract was brewed.Even the traditional methods of tea brewing differ from location tolocation in countries with a long history of tea-drinking culture.Therefore, in order to maximize the benefits of drinking tea as a herbalbeverage for health-promoting purpose, it is best to select young leavesfrom the tea trees grown in a reputable plantation (for example, to useorganically grown tea and otherwise avoid the use of insecticides), tochoose a drying process with the maximum preservation of the teacatechins, to store the dried tea leaves properly to avoid oxidation,and to brew the aqueous tea extracts under conditions with minimalcatechin degradation for maximum preservation of its antioxidantactivities. Since oxidation is the major mechanism of tea catechindegradation, the contents of molecular oxygen in a hot tea extractshould be reduced to a minimal level during tea brewing.

[0016] The traditional methods of brewing tea involve significantexposure of the tea to atmospheric oxygen, and consequently do not avoidoxidation of the “antioxidants” during tea extraction. For example, oneof the large tea companies in China, FML Tea Trading Co.,Ltd. haspublished on the Internet (Url:http://www.fmltea.com Address:HongsengBuilding 21F1,Xiamen,China) the instructions to prepare tea as follows:

[0017] “Add ¾ teaspoon of dry tea to a clear tea glass or a porcelaincup. Bring fresh, cold water to a boil, keeping it boiling for about 5seconds. Allow the temperature to fall to approximately 185 degrees(check with a thermometer, if possible; otherwise, wait about fiveminutes) and fill the cup with hot water. Steep for 2-3 minutes. Sipslowly and enjoy. When the tea water goes down to one-third of the glassor cup, add hot water again for a delicious second infusion. Or, prepareby the potful . . . the tea leaves may be steeped several times (atleast three), depending on the quality grade of the tea. Take time toenjoy this delicious China green tea.”

[0018] Another tea company, Xianju Green Tea published The Art ofBrewing and Drinking Green Tea on-the web sitewww.worldconsortium.com/brewing with following instructions for teabrewing:

[0019] 1) Ceramic Cup

[0020] Simply put 3 grams (approximately one teaspoon) of loose GreenTea into a ceramic cup (6 ounces to 8 ounces) or inside the ceramicfilter of the cup if there is one. Then pour freshly boiling water (forbest results please use water at the temperature of 80 degrees Celsiusor 170 degree Fahrenheit) into your ceramic cup. Put a cover on top ofthe cup, and let it sit for 3 minutes. When one third of the tea is allthat is left in the cup, you can add more hot water. You can repeat theabove procedure with the same loose Green Tea leaves up to three timesor more.

[0021] (2) Ceramic Tea Pot

[0022] Preheat your teapot by rinsing it with hot water. Then add theloose tea leaves according to the size of your teapot (for example, 2teaspoons for 6 teacups of boiling water). Next, pour the freshlyboiling, distilled water (80 degrees Celsius or 170 degrees Fahrenheit)into your ceramic teapot. Cover the teapot for five minutes. You mayrepeat the process twice using the same tea leaves.

[0023] (3) Coffee maker

[0024] Treat the loose Green Tea as if it were ground coffee by puttingit in a filter paper. Proper proportion is 1 teaspoon of tea leaves forthree teacups of spring water. Follow the same procedure as you would ifyou were brewing coffee. Water boiled through the coffee maker has thesame temperature required for brewing the Green Tea. You may repeat thesame process twice.

[0025] (4) Iced Green Tea

[0026] You should never brew Green Tea with hot water and then cool itto prepare cold, or iced tea. Instead, please double the amount of theGreen Tea leaves used to brew it in cold water in a sealed container.This way you keep the aroma, the natural color and the medicinal healthbenefits of the Green Tea. The reason this way is better, is that youavoid oxidation that can occur if the tea is left open to the air in anattempt to cool it after hot brewing. The brewing time is actually veryshort. For example, 10-15 cups of tea can be brewed in a jar in the icebox in just 30-45 minutes.

[0027] Mitscher, L. A. and Dolby, V.(The Green Tea Book, AveryPublishing Group, 1998, p. 146-147) have summarized the present art ofbrewing tea in four illustrations:

[0028] 1. Perforated stainless steel tea ball: Simply open the ball, putin a spoonful of tea, drop the ball into a cup of freshly boiled water,pop a lid on the cup, and let the tea steep.

[0029] 2. Tea Mug: These are special tea mugs that may be fitted with aperforated infuser and have their own lids.

[0030] 3. Perforated stainless steel spoon to hold the tea leaves in thehot water in a cup which cannot be covered by a lid properly.

[0031] 4. Tea pot which may be equipped with an infuser. This is thetime-tested method of brewing tea in a pot. The tea extract is pouredinto serving cups when ready.

[0032] Over the years, various versions of tea brewing devices have beenpatented (U.S. Patents: Des. 313,144; Des. 388,274; U.S. D444,337 S;U.S. D450,522 S; U.S. D448,235 S; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,526,796; 5,453,189;5,478,586; 5,687,637; 6,152,018 and 6,324,967 B1). These are allvariations of the traditional tea pot, tea cup or tea mug describedabove without a provision to prevent degradation and oxidation of thetea catechins during tea brewing because in these containers the tealeaves are steeped in a hot aqueous solution in contact with molecularoxygen of the free air or with molecular oxygen in a pocket of free air.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0033] The present invention introduces a container apparatus (such as atea steeper) and methods for using same which entail immersion andextraction of tea leaves in a hot aqueous solution not in significantcontact with molecular oxygen of the free air or with molecular oxygenin a pocket of free air for the maximum preservation of the activeantioxidants in the tea extracts. The containers and methods of thisinvention are useful to prepare tea extracts as an herbal beverage forhealth-promoting purpose.

[0034] In particular, with this invention dried tea leaves are steepedin hot water while the aqueous solution is not in contact with molecularoxygen of the free air or with molecular oxygen in a pocket of free air.Under these anaerobic conditions, the tea catechins extracted, forinstance (−) epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (−) epigallocatechin(EGC), (−) epicatechin gallate (ECG) and (−) epicatechin (EC), which arefunctionally strong antioxidants and ready donors of electrons toneutralize the toxic free radicals in the human body, will be optimallypreserved during the brewing process.

[0035] For instance, in a first embodiment, the invention entails acontainer apparatus for steeping intact or fragments of dried tea leavesin water, comprising a container or chamber that has (a) closableopening (such as, for instance, a valve) and that is made of inertmaterials that can withstand contact with water having a temperature ofat least 100° C. without releasing components or odors of the materialsinto the water. The container portion is formed in such a way that whenthe tea leaves and water are placed therein there is no significantcontact between the water and atmospheric air and there is nosignificant amount of air trapped within the container in contact withthe water. This embodiment may be useful for commercial tea brewing, andmay include inlets for water and tea leaves, and outlets for air and thetea extract when it is finished brewing.

[0036] In another form, the container apparatus can comprise:

[0037] (a) a container which is made of inert materials that canwithstand contact with water having a temperature of at least 100° C.without releasing components or odors of the materials into the water,and which has a top-opening for receiving a quantity of water, and

[0038] (b) a lid sized to fit releasably on the top-opening of thecontainer, which is made of inert materials that can withstand contactwith water having a temperature of at least 100° C. without releasingcomponents or odors of the materials into the water. When intact orfragments of dried tea leaves and water are placed into the containerand the lid is placed on the top-opening of the container, the lid isadapted such that there is no significant contact between the water andatmospheric air and there is no significant amount of air trapped underthe lid in contact with the water.

[0039] In a further embodiment, the invention contemplates methods ofbrewing intact or fragments of dried tea leaves under generallyanaerobic conditions. Such methods minimally comprise the steps of:

[0040] (a) placing a quantity of intact or fragments of dried tea leavesinto a container apparatus which comprises a container or chamber thatincludes a closable opening and that is made of inert materials that canwithstand contact with water having a temperature of at least 100° C.without releasing components or odors of the materials into the water.The container is formed in such a way that when the tea leaves and waterare placed therein there is no significant contact between the water andatmospheric air and there is no significant amount of air trapped withinthe container in contact with the water. That is, the container does notpermit contact between the aqueous solution and the open-air, and nosignificant air pockets are trapped inside the container that come intocontact with the aqueous solution.

[0041] (b) filling the container with water having a temperature ofbetween about 70° C.-100° C;

[0042] (c) allowing the tea leaves to be extracted in the water for atleast about 10 minutes; and

[0043] (d) optionally, pouring the liquid of step (c) onto ice andstoring in an air-tight container in temperatures below about 37° C. forconsumption within about 24 hours.

[0044] In a similar method, the steps include:

[0045] (a) placing a quantity of intact or fragments of dried tea leavesinto a container apparatus that comprises

[0046] a container which is made of inert materials that can withstandcontact with water having a temperature of at least 100° C. withoutreleasing components or odors of the materials into the water, and whichhas a top opening for receiving a quantity of water, and

[0047] a lid sized to fit releasably on the top-opening of thecontainer, which is made of inert materials that can withstand contactwith water having a temperature of at least 100° C. without releasingcomponents or odors of the materials into the water;

[0048] (b) filling the container with water having a temperature ofbetween about 70° C.-100° C. so that the water level is at least at ornear the top-opening (or even overflowing the top-opening) or up to apre-marked position on the container;

[0049] (c) immediately placing the lid onto the top-opening of thecontainer so that there is no significant contact between the water andatmospheric air and there is no significant amount of air trapped underthe lid in contact with the water;

[0050] (d) allowing the tea leaves to be extracted in the water for atleast about 10 minutes or until the water temperature cools to a safelydrinkable temperature; and

[0051] (e) optionally, pouring the liquid of step (d) onto ice andstoring in an air-tight container in temperatures below about 37° C. forconsumption within about 24 hours.

[0052] The conditions for these containers and methods of use aredescribed as generally anaerobic. By this it is meant that the hotaqueous solution in the tea steeper is largely devoid of oxidizinggases, such as molecular oxygen and chlorine, which have been driven outof the water used to brewing the tea by boiling, and is prevented fromreabsorbing molecular oxygen from the air during tea steeping. It isunderstood that the conditions of brewing and steeping the tea are notabsolutely air-free, since most of the embodiments of the containerapparatus will not have top openings that are hermetically sealed whenbrewing takes place (although hermetically sealed containers arecontemplated as desired). While it is preferred that steeping of the teatake place in the complete absence of oxygen, it is understood that inpractice this may be inconvenient or otherwise difficult to achieve formost users, and as demonstrated below in the examples the complete 100%absence of all oxygen during brewing is not essential to prepare a teathat is rich with antioxidants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0053]FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of one preferred embodiment of ananaerobic tea steeper including a container apparatus 1, a container 2,a top opening 3, a lid 4, a handle 5, and a dish 6. As shown in thisembodiment, the bottom of lid 4 protrudes down into the top opening 3.

[0054]FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of another preferred embodiment ofan anaerobic tea steeper including a container apparatus 1, a container2, a dried tea inlet 7, a hot water inlet 8, a valve 9 for controllingentry of the hot water into the container 2, an air outlet with valve10, a tea extract outlet 11, and a removable bottom plate 12 forcleaning.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0055] In accordance with the container apparatuses and methodsdescribed herein, it is essential that the steeping of the tea leavestake place in the general absence of atmospheric oxygen. As noted above,under such generally anaerobic conditions, the tea catechins extracted,for instance (−) epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (−) epigallocatechin(EGC), (−) epicatechin gallate (ECG) and (−) epicatechin (EC), will beoptimally preserved during the brewing process.

[0056] To that end, the container apparatus may be of any shape and sizeas long as the dried tea leaves are extracted in hot water that is notin contact with air or air pockets containing free oxygen (e.g., thesteeping or brewing conditions are generally or completely anaerobic).

[0057] In a first embodiment, the invention entails a containerapparatus for steeping intact or fragments of dried tea leaves in water,comprising a container or chamber that has a closable opening (such as avalve) and that is made of inert materials that can withstand contactwith water having a temperature of at least 100° C. without releasingcomponents or odors of the materials into the water. The container maybe of any size as long as it is formed in such a way that when the tealeaves and water are placed therein there is no significant contactbetween the water and atmospheric air and there is no significant amountof air trapped within the container in contact with the water.Controllable inlets (controlled, for instance by valves) may be providedfor placing tea leaves and water into the container. Optionally, thesame inlet may be used for placing the tea leaves and water into thecontainer. Optionally, the closable opening on the container and acontrollable inlet for water and/or tea leaves may be the same featureon the container. Optionally, the container apparatus may be providedwith a way to determine that the desired quantity of water and/or tealeaves have been placed into the container portion. Further, acontrollable outlet (such as a valve) may be provided for any air thatis present within the container chamber to be released. A controllableoutlet (such as a valve) for releasing the tea extract when the tea isdone steeping can also be provided. Optionally, the container mayinclude a second closable opening to allow periodic cleaning of theinside of the container. This embodiment may or may not include a lidfor covering the opening of the apparatus. For instance, see FIG. 2 foran example of a commercial scale anaerobic tea steeper apparatus.

[0058] In one preferred embodiment, the container is convenientlyconstructed as a tea mug and a fitted lid, both made in such a fashionthat the lid has a downward protruding bottom so that when lid is fittedsnugly onto the top-opening of the mug, the bottom of the lid will sinkinto and below the surface level of the water so that there will be nofree air trapped between the aqueous surface and the bottom of the lidin contact with the water. In this way, a generally anaerobicenvironment is formed within the container, and the tea is steeped inthe general absence of oxygen. To ensure as complete as possible thedisplacement of atmospheric air from the interface between the aqueoussolution and the lid when the lid is first placed on the mug, it ispreferred that a certain amount of aqueous solution must be forced tooverflow out of the opening of the container. Since the aqueous solutionis at a near boiling temperature of 100° C. when first poured into thecontainer for the most effective tea extraction, the overflowing liquidis capable of causing serious burns if in contact with the human skin.Therefore, a dish under the mug for containment of the overflowing hotwater should be provided for safety reasons. An example of thisanaerobic tea mug equipped with a fitted lid and an overflow dish isillustrated in FIG. 1.

[0059] To that end, it is preferred that the container apparatus furtherinclude a dish or other similar device as an accessory for the containerto stand on in order to catch any overflowing hot water at boilingtemperature when the lid is initially placed on the container filledwith hot water (for instance, if water it filled to the rim or otherwisedisplaced over the top-opening when the lid is placed thereon).Obviously the dish should have a diameter greater than the outerdiameter of the container.

[0060] It is also preferred that the container apparatus, including anylid or dish, are made of metals, heat-resistant plastics, ceramic,porcelain, glass, or mixtures thereof, which do not release metal ions,hydrogen ions, hydroxyl groups, anions, and organic substances to theaqueous tea extract at boiling temperature (e.g., at temperaturesranging from 70° C. to 100° C.).

[0061] Preferably, the container apparatus is about 10 cm in height andabout 8 cm in inner diameter, and the lid when present is about 8.5 cmin its outer diameter. In a preferred variation of the lid, there is adiscoid downward protruding bottom of about 7.5 cm in diameter.

[0062] Preferably the container has a handle for the user to grip.

[0063] Preferably the container has spout to facilitate pouring of teasteeped therein.

[0064] The tea leaves used in this invention are preferably dried. Toensure the best results, the tea leaves must be dried quickly afterplucking to prevent degradation. In the examples given herein, the typeof tea used is green tea. While green tea is preferred, other teas maybe used effectively in the containers and processes of this invention.For instance, all types of teas, including oolong (partially fermented)and black tea (fully fermented) although the catechins in these teas aremarkedly reduced.

[0065] When practicing methods or using containers of the invention, itis preferred to use high quality, properly stored dried young tea leavesnot previously subjected to processes of fermentation or oxidation, andvacuum-packed in aluminum foil. It is best that the tea be loose, ratherthan in a tea bag, because the process of manufacturing and the methodof storage of tea bags may introduce a variety of uncontrollablefactors, which may not be consistent with optimum preservation of theantioxidants in the tea leaves. In addition, for best results the teashould not have been grown with exposure to pesticides, insecticides orother undesirable chemicals; organically grown tea is preferred.

[0066] As an example of a preferred method in the practice of theinvention, between about 2-20 grams (preferably about 5 grams) of tealeaves can be placed in the container. The container is filled withwater having a temperature about 70° C. and 100° C. (preferably at aninitial boiling temperature close to 100° C.) to the desired level, andthe conditions of steeping or brewing must be generally anaerobic. If alid for the container is contemplated, the container is filled to therim of the top-opening or to a pre-marked/pre-determined place (such aswould mark where the water level minimally must be in order that therebe no air pockets trapped in the container when the lid is placed on thetop-opening). The lid should then be placed immediately onto thetop-opening to minimize the time the brewing tea is in contact with air.If a dish is used, the water may be filled to overflowing of thecontainer, so that the dish catches the overflowing water as the lid isplaced on the top-opening. For best results, the tea should steep undergenerally anaerobic conditions for between 5-20 minutes (preferablyabout 10 minutes) at ambient temperature. During this period, thetemperature of the hot tea extract will usually drop to about 50° C.-60°C., a temperature which is tolerable to most people who like to drinkhot teas. Generally speaking, the tea has brewed-for sufficient timewhen the temperature of the tea has cooled enough for comfortabledrinking. Consumption should occur within one hour of extraction toobtain the greatest benefits of the antioxidants. Preferably, the teaextract is consumed within one hour directly from the container whilethe container is kept covered between sips to avoid excess exposure toatmospheric oxygen. However, if the tea is not consumed within one hour,it may be rapidly cooled (e.g., by pouring it onto crushed ice or icecubes) to 37° C. or lower, (preferably to 4° C.) and stored at atemperature between about 2° C. and about 10° C. (preferably 4° C.) in anon-open-air container, for example in a bottle with limited free airspace, and consumed within 24 hours for obtaining the maximum healthbenefits of the tea extracts. Concentrated aqueous green tea extractswhen stored at 4° C. may become turbid in appearance, but appear toremain effective in providing health benefits (see below).

[0067] In the hands of people skilled in this field, this invention canbe practiced in a variety of modifications. For example, an anaerobicvessel which may be of any size and shape, may be optionally equippedwith a heating device, and may be optionally equipped with a filter forretaining the tea leaves being extracted in the vessel can beconstructed and used in place of the anaerobic mug described above fortea extraction. After extraction for about 20 minutes, the aqueous teaextract is cooled rapidly to a temperature below 37 C., or preferable to4 C. for storage after exposure to atmospheric oxygen if it is notconsumed within one hour.

[0068] The purpose of this invention is to provide a standardized methodof preparing tea beverage using a novel anaerobic steeper for teabrewing to maximize the health benefits of tea drinking. The examples ofusing this standardized method to prepare tea to be consumed as ahealth-promoting supplement are illustrated as follows.

EXAMPLES Example 1

[0069] Tea Extract Prepared Anaerobically for Prevention of UpperRespiratory Viral Infection

[0070] Three healthy actively employed adult human subjects who workedin an acute patient care facility with frequent daily close contact withacutely ill patients and numerous co-workers and who had had a pasthistory of suffering at least two upper respiratory viral infections peryear during the winter months from November to April in the precedingfive years were selected for this study. The subjects were instructed todrink every day three mugs of green tea prepared in the followingmanner, one in the morning, one in the afternoon and one aroundsupper-time.

[0071] The dried green tea leaves used to prepare the tea drink weremade of young tea leaves without undergoing prior processes offermentation or oxidation, packed in aluminum foil under vacuum, andsupplied by a reputable dealer specialized in tea trading.

[0072] To prepare the tea extract, a heaping teaspoonful of dried greentea leaves weighing about five (5) grams was placed in an anaerobic mugas described above. The mug was filled with boiling hot water to therim. After the lid cover was placed, the tea leaves in hot water wereallowed to steep at ambient temperature for 20 minutes and consumedwithin about one hour.

[0073] After an observation period from November to the end of April thefollowing year, none of these three tea drinking subjects suffered froma single episode of upper respiratory viral infection whereas over 90%of their fellow co-workers working in the same environment suffered atleast one upper respiratory viral infection during this period.

Example 2

[0074] Tea Extract Prepared Anaerobically as a Supplement forControlling Canine Lymphoma

[0075] A 45 lbs. neutered male mixed black Labrador adopted as ahomeless puppy at about 6 months old from the island of Sint Maarten,Netherlands Antilles was raised as a house pet in the Northeast of theUnited States. The dog had been in good health except for infestationwith multiple parasites which were successfully eradicated after he wasadopted as a puppy. Since then, the dog had been given regular periodicveterinary care and immunizations without exposure to other unusualenvironments except making three trips a year with the owner to theisland of Sint Maarten. At the age of about 7 and half years old, thedog developed a canine lymphoma, presenting with anorexia and generallymphadenopathy over a period of four weeks without fever. The clinicalsymptoms did not respond to treatment with various antibiotics. Thebiggest of the palpable lymph nodes was located in the left poplitealfossa, about the size of an egg, hard on palpation, and fixed tosurrounding tissues. The dog's general condition deteriorated rapidly toa point that he laid down on the floor all the time, no longer wanted tocome into the house after he was let out, and refused food or waterintakes. A fine needle aspiration of the biggest popliteal lymph nodewas performed for cytologic examination. A Wright's stain of theaspirate smear showed monotonous immature lymphocytes. A diagnosis ofmalignant lymphoma was made by two pathologists, one specializing inhematopathology. An excisional biopsy was deemed unnecessary and was notperformed.

[0076] According to the accepted guidelines in veterinary medicine aspublished by the National Labrador Retriever Club(http://www.labbies.com/index.html#Purchasing), the relevant informationon the prognosis and standard treatment for canine lymphoma(lymphosarcoma) is summarized as follows.

[0077] “Without therapy, dogs diagnosed with lymphoma succumb to thedisease within 4-6 weeks following diagnosis. Combination chemotherapywhich is a treatment regimen where the dog is administered two or moredrugs on a particular schedule, is the standard therapy. This regimenuses a combination of 5 drugs (Vincristine, L-Asparaginase, Prednisone,Cyclophosphomide and Doxorubicin), administered over a nine week period.Use of Prednisone alone helps to improve quality of life, however,remissions are brief, lasting only about 30 days. CombiningCyclophosphamide with Prednisone may provide a slightly longer durationof remission (30-60 days). Treatment with Doxorubicin alone has producedremissions for up to 18-29 weeks.”

[0078] It is generally known that Vincristine, L-Asparaginase,Cyclophosphomide and Doxorubicin are cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agentswhich are associated with numerous potentially serious complicationswhen given to humans and animals. The use of these chemotherapeuticagents is usually detrimental to the quality of life both for the dogsand for the dog owners. Therefore, instead of giving the standardcombination chemotherapy of prednisone and these cytotoxic agents, thedog was treated with 40 mg of prednisone daily for five days andlong-term daily dose of 450-500 ml of green tea extract continuouslywithout interruption. The tea extract was prepared in the followingmanner.

[0079] The dried green tea leaves used to prepare the tea drink weremade of young tea leaves without undergoing prior processes offermentation or oxidation, packed in aluminum foil under vacuum, andsupplied by a reputable dealer specialized in tea trading.

[0080] To prepare the tea extract concentrate, three heapingteaspoonfuls of dried green tea leaves weighing about fifteen (15) gramswere placed in an anaerobic mug as described above. The mug was filledwith boiling hot water to the rim. After the lid cover was placed, thetea leaves in hot water were allowed to steep at ambient temperature for20 minutes. The still hot aqueous tea extract was poured into 3-4 icecubes to lower the tea temperature to below 37° C. immediately. Thecooled tea extract was placed in a 500 ml plastic bottle with anair-tight cover, and stored in a 4° C. refrigerator. The cold teaextract concentrate was consumed by the dog within 24 hours in threeequally divided portions, in the morning, at noon and in the evening.

[0081] The size of the left popliteal lymph node decreased quickly onthe combination treatment of prednisone and green tea extract.Prednisone has an anti-inflammatory effect and causes depletion oflymphocytes, normal or malignant to certain extent, at least initially.It makes the patient feel good (euphoric) and improves the appetite ofthe patients. It seems to help many cancer patients temporarily toimprove the quality of life. But, as is well known, it is not the causeof cure of any cancers. It is often used in combination of otherchemotherapeutic drug(s).

[0082] On the fifth day of this combination treatment, the originalegg-sized popliteal lymph node was reduced to pea-sized, and remained inpea-size throughout the observation period of five months at the time ofthis writing. Lymph nodes at other sites became hardly palpable.

[0083] About 10 days after the initial five days course of prednisonewas discontinued, the dog became anorexic and developed trigeminalneuritis, presenting with jaw paralysis, inability to close the mouth,drooling and difficulty eating and drinking. In order to treat theneuritis and to maintain the dog's appetite, a periodic administrationof 20 mg prednisone per day for a continuous five days each month wasresumed in addition to the daily aqueous tea extract. The symptoms dueto trigeminal neuritis gradually improved to the point that the dog wasable to drink liquid and eat in about two weeks. After two months oftreatment, the dog became interested in playing and running again. Atthe end of the first five months after initiation of the combinationperiodic prednisone and long-term daily tea treatment, the dog behavedlike a healthy 7-8 years old Labrador, fond of chasing squirrels andrunning on the sandy beach again. There were no signs of recurrence oflymphadenopathy. Therefore, the remission period with this combinationtreatment was expected to be longer than five months.

[0084] The cause for canine lymphoma, like those of all malignantneoplasms in animals and in humans, is unknown and may bemulti-factorial. The response of any malignant tumor to any systemictreatment is not always predictable or guaranteed. However, in thisillustrative case of canine lymphoma, green tea extract preparedaccording to this invention has extended the remission induced byprednisone from about 30 days to at least 150 days, and probably longer.As cited in the Background section above, the growth of certain types ofhigh-grade human lymphoma cells can be inhibited by green tea extractsin animal models. And green tea extracts were found to be more effectivethan the chemotherapeutic drug cyclophosphamide in preventing lymphomarecurrence (Bertolini F et al. Leukemia 14: 1477-1482, 2000). Thisinvention has introduced a standardized method of preparing tea extract,as an example, to be used as a potentially effective non-toxiccombination therapeutic agent for the treatment of canine lymphoma.

[0085] All references cited hereinabove are incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

1. A container apparatus for steeping intact or fragments of dried tealeaves in water in substantially anaerobic conditions, comprising acontainer which has a closable opening and which is made of inertmaterials that can withstand contact with water having a temperature ofat least 100° C. without releasing components or odors of the materialsinto the water, which container has an air outlet positioned at the topof the container, which container is formed in such a way that when thetea leaves and water are placed therein the air exits the containerthrough the air outlet so that there is no significant contact betweenthe water and atmospheric air and there is no significant amount of airtrapped within the container in contact with the water, therebyeffecting substantially anaerobic conditions.
 2. The container apparatusof claim 1 wherein the container is made of ceramic, porcelain, glass,metals, heat-resistant plastics, or mixtures thereof.
 3. The containerapparatus of claim 1, wherein the tea leaves contain green tea leaves.4. The container apparatus of claim 1, which further comprises a dishwhich has a diameter greater than the outer diameter of the container.5. A container apparatus for steeping intact or fragments of dried tealeaves in water in substantially anaerobic conditions, comprising (a) acontainer which is made of inert materials that can withstand contactwith water having a temperature of at least 100° C. without releasingcomponents or odors of the materials into the water, which container hasan air outlet positioned at the top of the container, which container isformed in such a way that when the tea leaves and water are placedtherein the air exits the container through the air outlet so that thereis no significant contact between the water and atmospheric air andthere is no significant amount of air trapped within the container incontact with the water, thereby effecting substantially anaerobicconditions, (b) an air outlet in communication with the container, (c)(b) a tea leaves inlet in communication with the container, [[(d)]] (c)a water inlet in communication with the container, [[(e)]] (d) a teaextract outlet in communication with the container, and [[(f)]] (e) anoptional closable opening for cleaning the container.
 6. A containerapparatus for steeping intact or fragments of dried tea leaves in waterin substantially anaerobic conditions, comprising (a) a container whichis made of inert materials that can withstand contact with water havinga temperature of at least 100° C. without releasing components or odorsof the materials into the water, and which has a top opening forreceiving a quantity of water, and (b) [[a]] an air regulating lid sizedto fit releasably on the top-opening of the container, which is made ofinert materials that can withstand contact with water having atemperature of at least 100° C. without releasing components or odors ofthe materials into the water, wherein when intact or fragments of driedtea leaves and water are placed into the container and the airregulating lid is placed on the top-opening of the container, airpresent in the container exits the container through the top opening lidis adapted such that there is no significant contact between the waterand atmospheric air and there is no significant amount of air trappedunder the air regulating lid in contact with the water, therebyeffecting substantially anaerobic conditions.
 7. The container apparatusof claim 6, wherein the air regulating lid has a downward protrudingbottom adapted to extend below the surface of the water.
 8. Thecontainer apparatus of claim 6 wherein the container and air regulatinglid are made of ceramic, porcelain, glass, metals, heat-resistantplastics, or mixtures thereof.
 9. The container apparatus of claim 7wherein the container is a ceramic or porcelain mug of about 10 cm inheight and about 8 cm in inner diameter, and the air regulating lid isabout 8.5 cm in its outer diameter with a discoid downward protrudingbottom of about 7.5 cm in diameter.
 10. The container apparatus of claim6, which further comprises a dish which has a diameter greater than theouter diameter of the container, which dish is adapted for the containerto rest on and to catch any overflowing hot water when the airregulating lid is placed on the top-opening of the container.
 11. Thecontainer apparatus of claim 6, wherein the container has a handle. 12.The container apparatus of claim 6, wherein the container has spout tofacilitate pouring of tea steeped within the container apparatus. 13.The container apparatus of claim 6, wherein the container is pre-markedto show a user the level to which the container should be filled withwater.
 14. The container apparatus of claim 6, wherein the tea leavescontain green tea leaves.
 15. A container apparatus for steeping intactor fragments of dried tea leaves in water in substantially anaerobicconditions, comprising (a) a container which is made of ceramic,porcelain, glass, metals or heat-resistant plastics, which can withstandcontact with water having a temperature of at least 100° C. withoutreleasing components or odors of the materials into the water, which hasa top opening for receiving a quantity of water, which has a handle,which has a spout to facilitate pouring of tea steeped within thecontainer apparatus, and which is container is optionally pre-marked toshow the user the level to which the container should be filled withwater, (b) [[a]] air regulating lid sized to fit releasably on thetop-opening of the container, which is made of ceramic, porcelain,glass, metals or heat-resistant plastics, which can withstand contactwith water having a temperature of at least 100° C. without releasingcomponents or odors of the materials into the water, and which has adownward protruding bottom adapted to extend below the surface of watercontained within the container, and (c) a dish which has a diametergreater than the outer diameter of the container, which dish is adaptedfor the container to rest on and to catch any overflowing water when theair regulating lid is placed on the top-opening of the container;wherein when intact or fragments of dried tea leaves and water areplaced into the container and the air regulating lid is placed on thetop-opening of the container, air present in the container exits thecontainer through the top opening lid is adapted such that the downwardprotruding bottom extends below the surface of the water and there is nosignificant contact between the water and atmospheric air and there isno significant amount of air trapped under the air regulating lid incontact with the water, thereby effecting substantially anaerobicconditions.
 16. The container apparatus of claim 15, wherein the tealeaves contain green tea leaves. 17-36 Canceled